Despite a six-year head start and 42 more fights, veteran Nick Thompson
simply had no answer for fast-rising Bellator welterweight champion Ben
Askren.

In a non-title super fight that headlined Saturday’s MTV2-broadcast
Bellator 40 event at First Council Casino in Newkirk, Okla., Askren used
his dominant wrestling skills to smother the former BodogFIGHT champ for a
decision victory.

Askren picked up the win via scores of 30-26, 30-27 and 30-27.

Despite Thomspon also being a Division I wrestler, he simply couldn’t stop Askren’s many takedowns. Once on top, he easily moved into side control, delivered a steady stream of ground and pound, and stifled Thompson’s many attempts to get off his back.

“It felt great,” Askren said. “I would have liked to finish the fight. I know the fans have been on my ass about that.”

Askren, a season-two tourney winner who claimed the belt from Lyman Good in October, will make his first title defense against either Rick Hawn or Jay Hieron, who fight next month in the season-tourney finale. Hieron, in fact, fought earlier in the night. Askren, though, was hardly blown away.

“I watched Jay Hieron tonight, and I wasn’t impressed,” Askren said. “I was in his dressing room. Who knows? He might try to come get me. But he ain’t got nothing for me.”

It was far from a cakewalk, but Jay Hieron edged fellow semifinalist Brent Weedman and punched his ticket to the welterweight tournament’s finale with a unanimous-decision victory.

Things started off poorly for the former IFL champ. Weedman tagged and dropped him with overhand left, but Hieron quickly recovered, used a D’Arce choke to move into top position, and unloaded some ground and pound to come back to win the round.

Much of the remainder of the fight was spent standing, and Weedman often was the aggressor. However, Hieron’s fluid and sometimes tricky striking allowed him to land more power shots. Additionally, with the threat of takedowns looming, Weedman rarely closed the distance to avoid the lunging shots. Still, Weedman landed some heavy blows, and a late-fight low-kick knockdown briefly set up the mount position.

Still, it wasn’t enough to convince the judges, who unanimously gave Hieron the fight, 29-28.

“He came to fight,” Hieron said. “He’s a tough guy. That’s what I want. I want tough fights like that. I feel I’m the best in the world, and I need those fights to get there.”

With the win, Hieron now meets Olympian Rick Hawn in next month’s tourney finale.

Hieron (21-4 MMA, 2-0 BFC) now has won nine consecutive fights, five of which have come via decision. Weedman (18-6-1 MMA, 4-1 BFC) sees a 10-fight win streak come to an end.

Chandler punches tourney-finale ticket

Although Michael Chandler’s MMA game is still a work in progress, the former University of Missouri wrestler’s takedown and ground skills have led him to another victory and a ticket to the lightweight tourney’s finale.

Using his improved and fearless striking to set up at least four takedowns in each frame, Chandler dominated the first and third rounds to earn a unanimous-decision victory over fellow semifinalist Lloyd Woodard via scores of 29-28.

Chandler’s speed, ability to close the distance, and his sometimes-smothering top game stifled Woodard, whose best shot at a victory – back mount and a deep rear-naked-choke attempt – were cut short by the end of the second round. Chandler, though, got a second win in the final frame and dominated the Montanan with takedowns and a steady stream of fight-ending ground and pound.

“Lloyd is the man,” Chandler said. “Hats off to him. Lloyd, you’re an amazing fighter.”

With his victory, Chandler now meets KO artist Patricky “Pitbull” Freire in the tourney finale next month.

“Give me him,” Chandler said. “Let’s go. (I’m) two thirds of the way to the goal. The goal is to win this Bellator tournament and then get this title shot. Patricky, he’s flashy. He knocks dudes out, but I can’t wait for that fight.”

Chandler (7-0 MMA, 4-0 BFC), who went past the second round for the first time in his career, takes his first-ever decision victory. Woodard (11-1 MMA, 1-1 BFC), meanwhile, suffers the first loss of his near-three-year career.

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